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DS 3 E-Tense 1.2 PureTech Performance Line 5dr Review

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The least powerful DS 3 is only suitable for urban journeys; with a mere 99bhp, it feels out of puff beyond the city limits, especially when loaded up. Only available with a manual gearbox and in entry-level Premium Line trim.


1.2 PureTech

Hatchback

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the PSA Group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

In 2018, DS stated that it planned to launch a new model every year, with all of these influenced by the French fashion industry and&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

First to arrive (that same year) was the&nbsp;DS 7 Crossback – a large SUV that competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Then in 2019 this was followed by the smaller DS3 Crossback SUV, which is not only available&nbsp;with petrol and diesel engines, but also in fully electric E-Tense form.

More recently, DS&nbsp;unveiled its answer to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class luxury saloons. And while this DS 9 won't now go on sale until 2021, when it does arrive it will be offered with a choice of petrol, hybrid and fully electric power.

DS 3

Entry-level trim Performance Line comes with plenty of standard equipment, including Alcantara trim, heated electrically folding door mirrors, dark 17in alloy wheels, tinted rear windows and sports pedals. 

Performance Line

1.2 PureTech Performance Line 5dr

12-puretech-performance-line-5dr

Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags with passenger airbag deactivation function

One touch electric front/rear windows with pinch protection

Height adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners and front and rear load limiter

Wireless mirror screen with apple carplay and android auto

Dark tinted acoustic rear windows with heated rear windscreen

Manual longitudinal, height and backrest angle adjustment for front seats

Safety pack with 360 vision reversing camera - DS 3

Technology pack with head up display - DS 3

DS 3 E-Tense

Going electric has fixed some of the weak points of the DS 3 – but not all of them. It’s quieter, for example, and a little less fractious along bumpy roads. Objectively, though, rivals such as the Kia Niro EV and Tesla Model 3 have a longer range, are better to drive and are much more practical.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

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DS 3 E-Tense 1.2 PureTech Performance Line 5dr Review

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54.3

350

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117

g/km

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